Fifteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

In 2012, mainline Churches in the United States, and to a larger extent other faith-based communities, experienced a significant decline in attendance and participation. This mass exodus was dominated by the millennial population, one of the most diverse groups in the history of our world. Born somewhere between 1982 and 2005, this social-spiritual phenomenon has both theologians and sociologist asking themselves: Where do millennials go to fill their “spiritual cup?” If the Greek word for ecclesia, or Church, is a community gathering and assembly of the people, where do Hip-Hoppers convene? How do we differentiate between the sacred and profane when utilizing Hip-Hop aesthetics? According to my ethnographic and mixed methodological research millions of millennials are turning toward Hip-hop culture as a medium to find spiritual enlightment and community. This paper looks at Hip-Hop culture from a holistic lens by examining its socio-historical impact using interpretive sociology as a guide. We also examine the role(s) that millennials play in amplifying Hip-hop culture in the age of social media by exploring its contributions to liberation theology.